Seeking redemption after a string of lackluster finishes, Michael Bibat fired a bogey-free 65 to seize the first-round lead in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship on Tuesday in Bukidnon.
Bibat, yet to win since ruling Eagle Ridge in 2022, came up with nines of 31-34 in hot, humid conditions for a one-stroke lead over Elee Bisera and Ha Taewon.
‘I didn’t expect to shoot this low, but we played cautiously and avoided bogeys,’ said Bibat, who credited his precision off the tee, sharp irons, and hot putter. ‘The goal was to lessen the mistakes-hit the fairways and greens-then be aggressive with the putter. I gave myself so many chances to make birdies.’
Despite the strong start, Bibat remained grounded: ‘Just don’t get ahead of myself in the next three rounds.’
Starting on No. 10, Bibat birdied two early holes, then caught fire on the front with four more, including three straight from No. 4. Birdie on the par-5 ninth nudged him past Bisera by one.
Bisera posted a 66, birdieing three of his last five holes to briefly tie Bibat before the latter’s closing birdie.
‘My target was to shoot even-par, but everything just clicked, from driving to my short game. But my putting was especially on point,’ said Bisera, who birdied four straight from No. 8, dropped one on 13, then bounced back with birdies on 14, 16, and 18.
Ha threatened to steal the spotlight with a stunning 29 on the back nine, setting a new tournament record with five birdies and an eagle-surpassing Clyde Mondilla’s previous mark of 31. But bogeys on Nos. 3 and 5 stalled his momentum, and he settled for a 67, tying Ryan Monsalve and Chon Koo Kang for third.
‘I had a feeling I would play well because I hit my best score just recently,’ said Ha, referring to a nine-under practice round at Pradera Verde. ‘Today, my putting was better than usual-that’s why I shot a 29 on the back nine.’
‘The front nine was tougher, and my putter didn’t hold up,’ he added.
Monsalve bounced back from an early bogey on No. 2 with six birdies in his last 13 holes, including all four par-5s.
‘After that bogey on No. 2, I just focused on taking advantage of the scorable holes,’ he said. A clutch par-save on No. 10 and a solid tee shot on the tough par-3 12th helped him stay on track.
Kang also carded a 67, recovering from bogey-double bogey on Nos. 12 and 13 with three birdies in his final five holes.
Keanu Jahns struggled early but surged late with back-to-back eagles on Nos. 6 and 9, plus a birdie in between, finishing at 68. He shares sixth spot with Jay Bayron, Jhonnel Ababa, Reymon Jaraula, and Negros Occidental leg winner Rupert Zaragoza, who rebounded from a bogey on No. 1 with five birdies in his last 11 holes.
With just three shots separating the top 10-and 10 more players at 69-the title race remains wide open.
At three-under were Del Monte legend Frankie Miñoza, Ramil Bisera, Francis Morilla, Mars Pucay, Fidel Concepcion, Arnold Villacencio, Dino Villanueva, Kuresh Samadoni, American Collin Wheeler, and Japanese contender Yudai Nakakuki.